Music Lessons in Riverside, MD

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola

Hello, and welcome to my studio! I love to make music with my students! I teach technique, theory and performance by using music that appeals to them. I always look for new ways to teach. My goal is to create a comfortable yet challenging learning environment in which every student is successful. My teaching style is enthusiastic and caring. I believe that the best way to encourage students to practice is to teach music that they want to play, to have them perform, to challenge them with beautiful music and to use technology to support practicing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar

For Piano I teach from the Faber Faber series. I used Primer and level 1 one for children and a level 1 version for late teens and adults. For Guitar/Bass I use Hal Leonard Guitar Method Series. For all my students I determine what they are interested in learning and we focus on that music while still practicing the fundamentals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Tailoring my lessons to the individuals musical aptitude and level of interest has contributed to my long-term success as a music teacher. By tailoring my lessons to the individual, Im better able to facilitate an atmosphere where students come to enjoy their educational experience to help build an effective program that meets their personal ambitions. Over the years Ive learned when ambition is paired with application, the resulting outcome can be very fulfilling. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

It is my duty to make sure the student is always engaged and enthused. The student always comes first. My method of teaching needs to be flexible so that I can give each student my all so they can perform at their very best. By finding out what a students goal is, I can craft my teaching so that they get the maximum amount of information from me. All while making sure any and all improvements and accomplishment are noticed so they can see their progress and have it affirmed so they feel that they are going places. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Organ Conga Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

Mark Deffenbaugh is an innovative, and provocative Jazz Artist and Educator. As a keyboardist, composer, and producer he has turned the heads of many of the most talented and famous personalities in Jazz, Rock, Hip Hop, and R&B. Mark started his career early, playing gigs, in the Washington D.C. area, starting at the age of sixteen. Within a few short years he had numerous live and television performances to his credit. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I have an arsenal of books I may work through or recommend for students from beginner to the advanced player. However, my lessons are customized to fit each students needs. The exercises or books I may work from are usually recommended to the student after assessing where they are skill-wise, what their end goal may be, or based on what tools they like that will help them retain the information the best. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I individualize my instruction based on each student's musical background and goals. Each student is unique, and has his or her own unique learning style. However, for beginning piano students I tend to start with either the Bastien Piano Library, Alfred Piano Library, or Faber Piano Adventures to provide a basic groundwork and methodology. For vocal students, I craft their study depending on the style of music that the student expresses an interest in and organize their technical studies to accommodate that vocal style. Read More